Machine Morality with Dr. Walter Sinnott-Armstrong, Dr. Jana Schaich Borg and Dr. Vincent Conitzer (podcast)

By Templeton Staff
July 19, 2021
An ethicist, a computer scientist, and a neuroscientist research human morality and artificial intelligence.
Machine Morality with Dr. Walter Sinnott-Armstrong, Dr. Jana Schaich Borg & Dr. Vincent Conitzer

In this episode of the "Stories of Impact" podcast, we speak with an ethicist, a computer scientist, and a neuroscientist who have teamed together at Duke University to research how we might build human morality into an artificially intelligent machine.

Drs. Walter Sinnott-Armstrong, Jana Schaich Borg, and Vincent Conitzer's findings have shown that imbuing machines with the ability to act in accordance with moral principles can actually help us deepen our understanding of our own moral philosophy and behavior.

Discover the video version of this interview.

Learn more about the TWCF-funded research project related to this episode.

Read the transcript from the interview conducted by journalist Richard Sergay, presented by podcast producer Tavia Gilbert. Featuring: Ethicist Dr. Walter Sinnott-Armstrong, Chauncy Stillman Professor of Practical Ethics and Kenan Institute for Ethics in the philosophy department. Also affiliated with the Duke Institute for Brain Science and Duke’s law school, computer science program, and psychiatry department; Neuroscientist Dr. Jana Schaich Borg, Assistant Research Professor and Director of the Master and Interdisciplinary Data Science at Duke Social Science Research Center; Computer scientist Dr. Vincent Conitzer, Kimberly J. Jenkins University Professor of new technologies, as well as a Professor of computer science, economics, and philosophy.


Built upon the award-winning video series of the same name, Templeton World Charity Foundation’s “Stories of Impact” podcast features stories of new scientific research on human flourishing that translate discoveries into practical tools. Bringing a mix of curiosity, compassion, and creativity, journalist Richard Sergay and host Tavia Gilbert shine a spotlight on the human impact at the heart of cutting-edge social and scientific research projects supported by TWCF.